Page 24 of Son of a Preacher Man
Showered and dressed, he meticulously made up the bed, folding the sheet so the creases were neat and tucking the corners in tight. He’d found habits, like promises, were difficult for him to break. Deeply ingrained since childhood, and required during his years in the service, Kodiak kept his surroundings orderly and neat. Spic and span. And besides, who doesn’t love the feel of a crisply made bed?
Picking his phone up from the night table, he glanced at the time. Half past seven. Being he wasn’t meeting Kelly until nine, there was an hour left to kill. They were going to some trendy place over on Diversey with bottomless mimosas and an all-you-can-eat weekend brunch. Afterward, they’d go their separate ways. She to watch her nephew’s football game, and he to check in on his sister.
Kodiak ambled down the stairs, running his fingers along the back of the camel leather sofa, on his way to the kitchen. A cup of hot tea would help pass the time. And a joint. Thank fuck for Babs. The state legalized weed for recreational use a few years ago, but since she gave him a prescription for it, he didn’t have to pay the bullshit taxes that doubled the price. Greedy motherfuckers.
He opened his stash drawer to retrieve the vape pen and took it outside to the courtyard patio. Inhaling deep, Kodiak kicked back on the lounger while he waited for the kettle to boil. Its branches swaying, leaves of orange and fiery red rustled on the lone Japanese dogwood. Linnea loved that damn tree and said so every time she came by. He wondered what memories this place held for her. Many were of Kyan, he supposed.
Taking another hit off his pen, a chill passed through him. The ghost of the man was present everywhere. Slowly releasing the vapor from his lungs, Kodiak whispered to the tree, “She cries for you, brother. More than she ever cried for me.”
As it should be.
He snickered to himself and closed his eyes, the cannabis taking effect. Sometimes his thoughts had a will of their own…sometimes his mind wandered to a place where they were happy together, blissfully unaware of the evil misdeeds perpetuated upon them, and she was still his. There was a time he welcomed going there.
The vision was fleeting, but so tangible he could almost touch it. Kodiak could see long blonde hair billowing out from behind her, chasing after a little boy on the grass. He forced his eyes open.
You’re a sick fuck, man.
No.
No, he was better now. But still, there was this wrongness that dwelled within him, an unforgivable sin that could never be washed clean. It ran deep, embedded in his flesh, poisoning the blood that coursed through his veins.
And hers.
I love you. I’m so fucking sorry.
It would be a selfish act to taint someone else, wouldn’t it?
He should call her. Come up with some excuse why he couldn’t make it. The last thing Kelly needed was a friend like him.
The kettle whistled and his phone vibrated all at once. Dillon’s name flashing on the screen, Kodiak answered it as he went back inside. Pouring boiling water into the teapot, he let the aromatic leaves steep. Apparently, Monica succeeded in getting Linnea to leave the house. His sister had plans to go to some arts and crafts show in Long Grove, so he made plans to meet Dillon for coffee later that afternoon. Without Linnea to fuss over, the poor guy didn’t know what to do with himself.
“She needs this, bro.” And the doorbell rang. “Someone’s here. I’ll be there at two.”
Who the fuck?
Some bible peddlers, no doubt. Been there. Done that. Never wanna go back. Opening the door without looking, he droned, “Whatever it is you’re selling, I’m not the least bit interested.”
“You sure about that?”
Shit.
Kelly stood on his stoop, a large, eco-friendly, reusable shopping bag in each hand. She smirked, long loose waves framing her exquisite face. Tight faded jeans. Snakeskin ankle boots. The black sweater she wore reached her calves and bared her shoulders. “I got T-bone steaks.”
“I thought…” Shaking his head, Kodiak grinned. He relieved Kelly of the bags, and holding them both in one hand, hooked an arm around her neck. “Get in here.”
Mischievous blue eyes glanced up at him. “I know we were going to go out, but I figured we’d be more comfortable here or at the loft. But since Kevin hasn’t left yet and Katie’s working downstairs, so, yeah, um…” She took a breath. “You did say you wanted me to make you breakfast, didn’t you?”
“I did.” Setting the bags down on the island, Kodiak tugged Kelly to his chest.
Damn, this girl was something else. Except for Linnea, he’d never had a woman who wanted to cook for him. Not that he needed or expected that from anyone, he was perfectly capable of fending for himself, after all. But that Kelly made the gesture, made him feel some kind of way. He refused to put a name to it, though.
Running his fingers through her silky waves, Kodiak gripped the hair at her nape and lowered his lips to hers. He kissed her. With the air leaving his lungs, a feel-good chemical cocktail released into his bloodstream.
More potent than a runner’s high.
More calming than cannabis.
She’d become an addiction if he wasn’t careful.
